News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers have identified a family of proteins called piezo proteins that detect painful touch. The discovery provides evidence for the mechanotransduction pathway and potential new treatments for diseases related to sensory nerve dysfunction.
The International Polar Year created a new model for northern research, where communities define research questions and use traditional knowledge. Community members, including elders and youth, are now taking up the mantle to sustain research efforts.
Research by Judith Myers introduces a beetle to North America to feast on invasive knapweed, causing a significant decline in the plant's presence. The program shows $17 in economic benefit for every dollar spent, making it a win for the economy and ecology.
A new study published in Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences estimates the economic impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on commercial and recreational fisheries and mariculture in the Gulf of Mexico. The study predicts losses of $US8.7 billion over 7 years, affecting around 22,000 jobs.
The Picasso software uses a three-level algorithm to match user-chosen pictures with corresponding soundtracks from movie scenes. This enables users to select music that harmonizes with their impressions without extra effort. The system takes into account individual preferences and is expandable for automatic sound recording.
A UGA study found that worker perceptions of safety and effective management can decrease on-the-job injuries by 32% and 38%, respectively. The study highlights the impact of work-life balance on performance and productivity, increasing injury risk by 37%.
Researchers found that abduction strained the ACL more than anterior translation and internal rotation increased load equally with anterior translation. The combination of all three factors resulted in an additive effect, increasing average ACL strain significantly.
A University of Alberta researcher is investigating the potential link between long-term exposure to disinfected water and an increased risk of bladder cancer. She will develop new tools to detect toxic DBPs in drinking water, with the goal of eliminating their formation.
A £7 million research initiative aims to improve fruit and vegetable production in the UK through sustainable farming practices. The project will focus on adapting crops to a changing climate, reducing waste, and increasing yields while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Researchers have identified key factors that influence professionals' decisions to spot financial exploitation of elderly people, including the older person's mental capacity and nature of the financial problem. The study aims to improve recognition and prevention of financial abuse through better decision-making among professionals.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of solar cell that can harness more of the energy from the sun. The hybrid cell absorbs red light and uses blue light to boost electrical current, enabling it to capture 44% of incoming solar energy.
A large study found that mild cognitive impairment is consistently associated with higher disability and neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly anxiety, apathy, and irritability. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment ranged from 0.8% to 4.3% in eight low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers found that rats given daily multivitamin and mineral supplements showed an 84% reduction in pre-cancerous lesions and did not develop tumors when exposed to carcinogens. The study suggests that regular supplement use could help protect against colon cancer, giving cancer patients valuable guidance.
A longitudinal qualitative study found that older adults work hard to maintain their health and independence, but struggle when they become dependent on others. Support and care must be responsive to the individual's needs and perspectives to enhance dignity.
Researchers at University of Southampton examine the future of UK high streets, exploring social, economic, and environmental impact, and assessing resilience through adaptation and evolution. The study aims to inform policy debate with forward-looking analysis.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that massage reduces inflammation and promotes the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle after intense exercise. The research provides evidence that massage could be a valuable treatment option for individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases or musculoskeletal injuries.
The winning team, Real-time Care Experience Feedback Using QR Codes, developed an application to track patients' care experiences in real time. The project aims to provide access to evidence-based information and support meaningful engagement and decision-making for patients and clinicians.
Researchers at University of Oxford and Harvard Stem Cell Institute have developed a common standard to describe and integrate large datasets from various fields, enabling better coordination of findings. The ISA Commons platform allows small research groups to store laboratory data without dedicated bioinformatics support.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have discovered that commercially available graphite crystals contain micron-sized clusters of predominantly iron, which explain their weak signs of magnetism. This finding could be a breakthrough for utilising graphite as a bio-compatible magnet for medicine and biology.
A California occupational safety program can help prevent workplace injuries, but only if it is adequately enforced. The study found that businesses cited for noncompliance with the program's specific safety mandates saw a 20% decline in injury rates.
A team from the University of Sheffield has developed a cheap way to produce microbubbles that can float algae particles to the surface of water, making it easier and cheaper for companies to harvest and process the oil for biofuel. This breakthrough could be a significant step towards more efficient and sustainable biofuel production.
Researchers have created the largest-scale map of dark matter, showcasing a intricate cosmic web that covers over one billion light years. By analyzing images of 10 million galaxies, they were able to detect the distortion caused by dark matter and gain insight into its distribution.
Research reveals that a poor maternal diet can affect fat storage in later life, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other age-related diseases. The team identified a molecule called miR-483-3p as the key player in this process, which suppresses a protein called GDF3.
A study by the University of Leeds found that older adults tend to stay in the middle lane while driving, an adaptive strategy that helps them stay safe. This tendency is linked to their reduced motor skills due to aging.
Fourteen teams from the UK, Canada, Netherlands, and US have been awarded over £3 million to develop innovative humanities and social science research using large-scale data analysis. The projects focus on applying computational techniques to understand population databases, digitised newspapers, and medieval charters.
A complex genomic rearrangement causes a massive expansion of pigment cells in chickens, resulting in black skin and organs. Genetic studies in domestic animals have shed light on the process of evolution, with genomic rearrangements playing a significant role.
Researchers discover subtle electronic effect in magnetite that causes a dramatic change to its electrical conductivity at very low temperatures. This discovery gives new insight into the mineral's structure and behavior, potentially enabling the exploitation of magnetite and similar materials in new ways.
Researchers have discovered that robins' red breast varies in size and coloration over ages and sexes, suggesting it may be used to communicate features of the owner to other robins.
The RAND Corporation's new online guide helps hospitals and health care organizations anticipate and address problems when adopting electronic health records. Experts have compiled known-best practices for mitigating unintended consequences of EHR adoption.
Researchers find that internal group dynamics can lead to biased and misleading scientific findings, affecting the quality of published research. They advocate for improved collaboration practices, including clear goals and roles, to address this issue.
Researchers found that protein renewal rates vary between proteins according to their role and location within cells. This knowledge could help breed crops incorporating proteins that respond quickly to changing conditions.
Scientists create one of the world's smallest electronic circuits, just 150 atoms away, revealing positive and negative interactions between wires. This discovery in quantum physics could revolutionize integrated circuit design and heat management.
The UK Government has committed £75 million to develop the ELIXIR research infrastructure, a pan-European effort to manage and share life-science data. The initiative aims to promote knowledge-based economic growth and facilitate innovation in areas like food security, energy, and health.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a way to predict the impact of climate change on animal populations, body size and genetics. By analyzing data from 15 years of wolf population trends, they created a mathematical model that can be applied to other species with similar environmental data.
Archaeologists have discovered Nubian Middle Stone Age tools in Oman, challenging long-held assumptions about the timing and route of early human expansion. The findings suggest that humans entered Arabia by 106,000 years ago, contradicting genetic estimates of 70,000 to 40,000 years ago.
A £3.6 million project seeks to illuminate a fundamental mechanism controlling cells in the immune system as we age. Understanding this process may lead to new possibilities for improving health in older people.
A University of Southampton professor has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) grant to realise tools for fast, low-cost point-of-care clinical diagnostics and chemical analysis in water pollution and food safety. The £2.6m programme aims to advance biophotonics research in near- to mid-infra-red devices.
McGill researchers have created a unified theory of ecosystem change that considers complex interactions between predators and prey in space and time. Generalist species like foxes play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity by connecting different food webs.
A study by Concordia University found that employees with acute, chronic or episodic illness report higher rates of presenteeism, with caregivers in early education reporting the highest rates. Presenteeism can be influenced by job insecurity and social obligation, but research suggests it may not always be a productive option.
New archaeological evidence suggests that soybean domestication may have occurred as early as 5,500 years ago, with widespread adoption in northern China, Japan, and South Korea. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about the origins of soybean domestication.
Research from the University of Sheffield found that people are willing to pay extra for greener urban spaces, with greater tree coverage attracting higher payments. The study surveyed public opinions on various redevelopment scenarios and found a strong correlation between green space quality and willingness to pay.
Research finds areas with highest amphibian species richness are most vulnerable to threats. The study suggests multiple drivers of extinction may accelerate population declines over the next decades.
A study published in Nature found that forests are warmer than open areas north of 45 degrees latitude due to higher nighttime temperatures and sunlight absorption, but cooler south of 35 degrees latitude. Forests also have climatic benefits for maintaining or increasing forest cover in southern latitudes.
The COBRA trial found that cryoplasty post-dilation decreases the risk of in-stent restenosis by 26.5% compared to conventional balloon angioplasty in patients with diabetes. Researchers used a cryoplasty dilatation system that simultaneously dilates and cools the vessel wall, inducing smooth muscle cell apoptosis.
The PROFI trial found that proximal balloon occlusion resulted in fewer cerebral ischemic lesions compared to filter protection during carotid artery stenting. This reduction was associated with a lower risk of stroke and other major adverse cardiovascular events.
The EVOLVE trial found that a bioabsorbable polymer stent was non-inferior to traditional durable polymer stents in treating de novo coronary artery disease, with lower rates of late events and reduced need for dual antiplatelet therapy.
A clinical trial testing rotational atherectomy prior to implantation of a drug-eluting stent found that the process was not superior to standard balloon angioplasty and decreased the efficacy of the stent. Rotablation followed by drug-eluting stenting is not supported by randomized studies in complex calcified lesions.
Researchers found that polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stents resulted in significantly lower in-stent late loss at six months compared to paclitaxel-eluting stents. The trial, NEXT, demonstrated non-inferiority of these stents in de novo native coronary artery lesions.
The ADVISE trial demonstrated that instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) is comparable to fractional flow reserve (FFR) without the use of adenosine. The study found excellent diagnostic efficiency and correlation between iFR and FFR, with potential clinical implications for improving patient experience and workflow in cath labs.
The TWENTE trial demonstrated non-inferiority between zotarolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents, with low rates of target vessel failure and stent thrombosis. The study showed similar efficacy in a broad patient population with complex lesions and 'off-label' indications.
The REMEDEE trial demonstrated that the new dual therapy stent effectively controls neointimal proliferation, with low rates of clinical events and comparable results to paclitaxel-eluting stents. The study showed non-inferiority compared to a clinically proven stent in ischemic heart disease patients.
The PEPCAD-DES trial demonstrated paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty is more effective than plain old uncoated-balloon angioplasty in treating drug-eluting stent restenosis. The procedure resulted in lower late lumen loss, binary restenosis rates, and major adverse cardiac events.
Horst Sievert, a leading expert in non-coronary interventions, has advanced the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine through technical excellence. He has performed over 25,000 percutaneous coronary interventions and 12,000 peripheral angioplasties.
The STACCATO trial found that transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (a-TAVI) may be inferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in operable elderly patients, with a higher risk of death, stroke, and renal failure at 30 days. The study was terminated early due to safety concerns.
The study found that radial artery access was associated with significantly lower rates of bleeding and cardiac death compared to femoral artery access. This suggests that the transradial approach may be a preferable option for patients with ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.
A study found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) provides meaningful clinical benefits compared to surgical valve replacement in patients suitable for the transfemoral approach. In contrast, patients ineligible for this approach experienced no benefit and potentially worse outcomes with TAVR.
A new analysis of the PARTNER trial found that TAVR via the femoral artery is more cost-effective than SAVR for eligible high-risk patients, while transapical approach yields unattractive results from a health economic perspective. The study suggests that refinement of the transapical approach could improve outcomes and reduce costs.
The PARTNER trial demonstrates continued superiority of TAVR over standard therapy at 2-year follow-up, with reduced rates of all cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and repeat hospitalization. Neurologic events were higher in TAVR patients, primarily due to increased hemorrhagic strokes.
The DEB-AMI trial found that drug-eluting balloons with bare metal stents did not meet the primary endpoint of reduced late lumen loss compared to drug-eluting stents. The study also showed that these procedures may induce more pronounced morphological changes, resulting in inferior angiographical and clinical outcomes.
Dr. Eric J. Topol was awarded the 2011 TCT Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking research on acute myocardial infarction and interventional pharmacology, which has benefited millions of patients with cardiovascular disease. He is also a leader in personalized medicine and digital technology.